Will Neo-Muscle Cars Repeat History?

It’s hot fun in the summertime for Detroit’s muscle cars, but how long can the retro-party last?

The recent slide in gas prices is doing wonders for sales of the Ford Motor Co.’s Mustang, General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Camaro and Chrysler Group LLC’s Dodge Challenger. Mustang sales rose 16% in June from a year ago. Camaro sales zipped ahead by 7.5% and the Challenger roared to a June record 4,009 sales, up 18% from a year ago.

The neo-muscle car segment is small in terms of sales volume. But the cars — with their flashy styling, garish colors and big engines – give an outsized boost to the images of their brands.